subbarayan_prasanna

December 22, 2016

Matt Hi!

It may need some lubrication. You can lubricate the Exakta [partially] after removing the slow speed dial/Knob and the plate under neath. To the rear of the cavity you will see two spindle tops of the curtains. They are usually held fast [as they are spring loaded] by cotter pins or other types of pins. Please do not disturb any of them.

Try dropping some petrol [gas] on the spindle tops and work [all speeds, and] the slow speeds, 1/50 sec and slower. There will be only 1/25 sec and B. The rest will be operated by the slow speed clockwork. that part is complicated.

If this eases the 1/25 sec and B then add a drop or two of lubricating oil, such as watch oil. I hope this solves your problem.

If it does not solve your problem then you may have to go for full dis-assembly and a CLA job. Commercial mechanics are very expensive when they do a CLA on Exaktas. They charge more than $250 in the US and UK.

If you want to do it at home then you may buy a repair manual by Miles Upton; he has a website named Exaktaphile. His manual is very detailed and illustrated and costs about $45. With that Manual you can do the repairs at home.

Good luck! let me know if I can help with any thing more. SP.

November 11, 2016

...how is the GG image plane mechanically defined?

</blockquote>

I think, that in the Exaktas and Exas that I have, the image plane is in the Camera body and not in the View Finder. There is rectangular platform above the mirror on which the focusing screen sits. The View Finders are made to conform to this depth [ well. more or less!!!]. Actually, if one sets the screen on the rectangular platform without the VF then one can see the image focused. Therefore, even if the screen does not fit exactly into the VF one could lay it on the rectangular plane and fix the VF on top. If this method becomes necessary, then we may need to use some tape to fix the screen in position. I hope I make sense on this. SP.

November 10, 2016

<h3 ><a title="Click this link to access Split image focusing screen for Exa Exakta Ihagee made old type" href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Split-image-focusing-screen-for-Exa-Exakta-Ihagee-made-old-type-/112196509480?hash=item1a1f6edf28:g:xUEAAOSw8w1X8Yor">Split image focusing screen for Exa Exakta Ihagee made old type</a></h3>

<ul >

<li > Free Postage </li>

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</li>

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<li > 3d 12h left (Monday, 3:45) </li>

<li>From Slovakia</li>

</ul>

This may be of Interest to you. SP

November 9, 2016

Hi! Bernard! I don't know if my experience will help. I had a similar problem of a missing screen from and Exa/Exakta view Finder. I removed one Fresnel screen from a Broken Praktica and fitted it. It fits okay but may need a some paper shim to adjust its position to focus accurately. Exa VFs vary in their construction, apparently, being made by different factories at different times in history. But do try the Praktica screen; it should be available easily, not expensive. Best, SP.

November 1, 2016

Typical Rick Drawbridge work. I learn from everyone of your pictures. At times, I even think as to what would be your state of mind when you made a certain picture! Great ! Thank you.

October 23, 2016

I use only B&W 35mm film. I have a series of EXAKTAs from the very first to the Last VX 1000. All of them work, well and produce excellent results. They are also easier to repair than most other cameras. Thus, I have new Curtains in all of them. There are many who make 35mm B&W film. Processing chemicals are available from any College Lab supplier or an X-Ray Lab supplier. According to Miles Upton a diligently repaired Exakta VX should last another 50 years! That is more than our life time. Best, SP

October 13, 2016

Chuck Foreman, have you tried the new ORWO from Wolfen. They sell directly from the factory at a reasonable price. It is an excellent film with a wide tolerance. I use it regularly. SP.

September 26, 2016

It is better to make a few pictures and assess for yourself the quality of an old lens. Some may provide magnificent results; others may be so so. There is no standard way one can assess an old lens. Some Meyer lenses are cherished, highly, for their Bokeh and Rendering ability. But these characteristics are the photographers' preference modes. There is no fully objective way to assess a lens' utility and Value. sp.

September 17, 2016

Enjoyable post JDM! Thanks. I think that some of the early IBs also had the Exakta Mount. I have come across an odd one. But I don't know if it was the factory original or the owner's change of mount. The Oreston keeps its class wherever you mount it. It is one of my most cherished lenses. Thanks again. sp.

September 5, 2016

<a href="http://www.natgeotraveller.in/the-worlds-largest-camera-museum-to-open-in-gurgaon/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.natgeotraveller.in/the-worlds-largest-camera-museum-to-open-in-gurgaon/&source=gmail&ust=1473211037720000&usg=AFQjCNGOVoXvCkPSEbIuwWSME2wNfoI_Kw">http://www.natgeotraveller.in/the-worlds-largest-camera-museum-to-open-in-gurgaon/</a>

Mr Arya bought a few Soviet RFs from me a feew years ago. His collection has blossomed in to a big venture, now. It may interest some of you. SP.

September 5, 2016

Thanks Kozma! I did not know all that you said about SP. :)):)). Nice to know that someone thinks well of me.

Regards, SP.

September 3, 2016

<tbody>

<tr>

<td> Messrs. Kamera Werk</td>

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</table>

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<td >38, Lenin Sarani, Dharmatala, Kolkata, West Bengal - 700013</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td >Mr. S. G. Yazdani</td>

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<td >

9836215823

This is the other one.

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September 3, 2016

Hi Bill, here is the link. Shall send the other one soon. Latif is likely to be more expensive. SP.

<h2><a href="http://latifprecisionworks.com/">LATIF PRECISION WORKS</a></h2>

<cite>latifprecisionworks.com</cite>

LATIF PRECISION WORKS

<ul >

<li>

24, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700087 · 033 22492265

<a title="24, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700087" href="https://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?rtp=adr.%7Epos.22.559196472168_88.3511352539063_24%2c+Jawaharlal+Nehru+Road%2c+Kolkata%2c+West+Bengal+700087_Latif+Precision+Works_033+22492265">Directions</a> · <a href="https://www.bing.com/local?lid=YN4070x247761169&id=YN4070x247761169&q=Latif+Precision+Works+Kolkata+West+Bengal&name=Latif+Precision+Works&cp=22.55885%7E88.35051">Details</a>

</li>

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</ol>

September 3, 2016

Raj Mohan Hi!This type of lenses from CZJena have about six entry points for the helical mount to grasp. Only one of them will be the optically correct thread to focus to infinity. I have a hunch that some repairman might have assembled it wrongly from the wrong entry point on the Helical. This is a usual mistake that happens.

Initially, please, try and focus the lens to infinity on a white wall surface without the camera body. If it does not focus then a lens element may have been fixed in the reverse [meaning inside out]. If it does focus then check the register distance and see if it matches the one in the camera body.

Perhaps you have done all this, already. In that case, the only way out is to disassemble and remount the helix. It will take a lot of patience, as it is by trial and error; you have to check the focus for each mounting position. If you are lucky you may get it in the first few tries. Otherwise, it could take days on end. Good luck. SP.

September 3, 2016

Bill Hi! Zorki 4 CLA is quite simple. You can do it at home. I have done several of them, as well as the curtain work on the Feds. I am a little slowed down now due to muscular and joint pains. I can provide instructions to you by email to help you [DIY] do it yourself. If you are game for it.

There are two companies that do excellent work on Soviet cameras in Calcutta [Kolkatta]. One is Mr Yazdhani's Kamera Werke and the other is Lateef Precision Instruments. If you are interested in any of these, please let me know. I shall be happy to provide more details, addresses, etc. Regards, SP.

August 28, 2016

In the RF cameras with a rotating timer dial, such as many of the Zorkis and Feds, one cannot set the shutter speed without cocking the shutter. Only after we cock the shutter the timer dial will come into position for setting the shutter speed. sp.

July 17, 2016

Beautifully crisp pictures, Rick. I envy the lighting you get at that angle. My Czech friend used this Pentacon 6 as a work horse, every day, on his visit to the US. Thanks for the post. sp.

July 6, 2016

Tony, regarding the grinding noise/vibration: open the back and you will find some gears just below the film advance lever. You can dab some Front End bearing Grease [AP 3] on the gears and work them a little. It helps in reducing the noise/ grinding vibration. Sometimes their assembling is not in good alignment; and that causes this kind of grinding noise. Best. sp.

July 6, 2016

Nice work Tony! I love the light and shade in the picture of the Church. The colors seem good too even though the Color Plus is not such a good film. The lenses you have are excellent as evidenced by your pictures. In the Fed series the FED1 Fed 2 and Fed 3 were really good, smooth and reliable. They are also handy. Later they got a bit unwieldy. sp.

July 6, 2016

Aaron! Can you set the lens aperture on Manual mode and try changing the aperture. Say, what kind of lens is the one you have? Do you have any other M42 lens that you may try? Even with full opening of the aperture the lens should focus on the wall, as I suggested. If it odes not then someone has meddled with the lens elements and fitted them the wrong way. sp.

July 6, 2016

Hi Aaron! I am puzzled because, even if the Fresnel screen is frosted you will get some image if the lens focuses. Please check if your lens is okay by trying to focus any image with the lens held about 3 or 4 Cms from a white wall. From the picture you have posted, the Fresnel screen seems okay to me. That is how all screens look when the lens is not mounted and focused.

Kindly explain the problem in some more detail. That could make us understand the problem better. Best, sp.

June 19, 2016

Lovely pictures and tones Rick! Thanks for the post. I must start making some pictures again, soon. sp

June 12, 2016

HI Kenji, please feel free to ask any question. We try and answer what we know with caveats.

I had a Kiev 19 with a Nikon mount. The lens was superb as it was an Arsatz lens. But the metal Bladed shutter malfunctioned. The Nikons, other than the F [professional] series are not that expensive. i think you may be better off buying a Nikon EM, FG, or even the FM 2 or 10. I am not familiar with all the mounts. So please check the lens mount, between the lens and the camera you wish to buy.

WE are all dumb here; so feel free to ask any question. :)) sp.

June 8, 2016

Yes, as JDM said I would also recommend a Praktica of the L-series or a Nova Super TL or 1B, with a Pentacon/Meyer 50mm f/1.8 lens. If you use any of the Nova Series please make sure to hold the shutter button down until the exposure is fully over. If you release it half way through then the aperture will get released to fully open position. That is a peculiarity of the Nova series. The L-series is different. The later models of the L-series have quieter shutters in my experience. Looking forward to your pictures. sp.

June 3, 2016

Nice pictures John! love that Austin with the articulated fenders, lights etc. Those cars lasted more than a lifetime. sp.

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